Health disparities in gynecologic cancers

By Nicole Ferrara • March 14, 2024

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Photo of two women of color having coffee on the steps of a front porch.

By Sonya Goins

Each year, thousands of women are diagnosed with gynecologic cancers in the U.S. While cervical, ovarian and uterine cancer affects all races, Black women are often diagnosed at later stages and are more likely to die from these diseases.

Watch this "Mayo Clinic Minute" video to hear Kristina Butler, M.D., a Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center gynecologic oncologist, discuss health disparities and prevention:

Gynecologic cancers target the female reproductive system. This includes cancer of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vulva and vagina. About 100,000 women are diagnosed yearly. However, outcomes are different for minority women.

"We do see, unfortunately, elevated mortality rates in Black and Hispanic women in gynecologic cancer," says Dr. Butler.

She says there are several socioeconomic factors that play a role in gynecologic cancer disparities. Obesity, diabetes and hypertension also contribute to cancer risks.

"I think that the healthcare disparities involve comorbidities of these patients, access for these patients, transportation," says Dr. Butler.

She says finding a healthcare professional you're comfortable with, getting vaccinated against HPV, and undergoing regular pelvic exams and/or Pap tests are crucial.

"This is tremendously important because catching and screening these abnormalities and cancers early improves long-term outcomes for women," explains Dr. Butler.